| Abstract: | X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ESCA) has been used for quantitative surface analysis of surface grafts prepared by mutual irradiation of polyethylene (PE) in methyl acrylate (MA) vapor with γ rays and high-energy electrons. The binding-energy shift between the C1s electrons in the ester group of poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) and in PE is large enough (ca. 3.6 eV) to distinguish the PMA and PE components. The C1s peak-area ratio of ester carbon to other carbons is related quantitatively to graft composition by constructing a calibration curve for a given instrument and excitation source, with a series of homogeneous grafts of known composition used as the calibration standards. Using the calibration curve and the measured peak ratio, the surface composition of the surface grafts is determined. The relations between surface compositions according to ESCA and attenuated total reflection (ATR) infrared spectroscopy and between adhesive bond strength and ESCA composition are discussed. In the electron-induced grafts, the grafted surface reaches maximum adhesive bondability with attainment of 100 mole % MA in the surface detected by ESCA; i.e., with formation of a homopolymer layer. The ESCA composition can be used as an indicator of the presence of the homopolymer layer or as a criterion for predicting adhesive bond strength. |
